English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

Students entering this high beginning level course will already have a basic knowledge of English. Through reading, listening, and discussion activities, students focus on fluency in oral and written communication skills. Extensive reading forms the basis of individual writing assignments as well as small group and class discussions. Work on grammatical principles, sentence structures, and organizational skills leads to effective paragraphs and/or short writings. Structured listening and speaking activities enhance student's listening comprehension and oral communication skills.

A basic knowledge of English is required for this high beginning level course. Basic patterns and rules of grammar structures will be introduced, practiced, and applied in a meaningful context.  Structures are learned in context through readings, discussions, oral practice, formal exercises, and particularly through writing. The targeted language structures are practiced in small group and whole class activities. The focus and emphasis of this course will be to use the grammatical structures in a natural and authentic settings.

In this high beginning course, students will improve their communication skills. Extensive listeningand speaking practice and vocabulary development will increase competency in oral fluency. Activities may include extensive and intensive listening, comprehension exercises, vocabulary work, role-playing, interviewing, class and small group discussions and short, informal oral presentations.

This is a linked support section for advanced multilingual language learners enrolled in English 1010: Composition ESOL ALP (Accelerated Language Program).Students will receive additional instruction in support of achieving English 1010 outcomes. Reinforcement will be provided in critical reading, thinking, and writing using credible college-level sources while specifically honing academic vocabulary, grammar, and editing skills to reflect appropriate rhetorical diction and tone of college level academic English.

In this low intermediate course, students begin to learn reading strategies and writing conventions appropriate for an academic environment. They also improve written and spoken language skills through extensive reading and vocabulary development. Students continue to work on grammatical principles, effective sentence structures, development and organizational skills in paragraphs and short essays. Small group and class discussions prepare students to communicate more effectively in formal and informal settings.

In this low intermediate course, students will study fundamental patterns and rules of grammar structures including compound and complex sentences and perfect verb tenses. Structures are learned in context through readings, discussions, oral practice, formal exercises, and particularly through writing.The targeted language structures are practiced in small group and whole class activities. The focus and emphasis of this course will be to use the grammatical structures in a natural and authentic settings.

In this low intermediate course, multilingual learners will improve their oral communication skills,reading fluency, and vocabularyknowledge. Extensive reading and vocabulary development will improve reading speed and accuracy and increase self-confidence and competency in oral communication.  Activities will include extensive reading, developing reading strategies, expanding vocabulary, as well as small group discussions and oral reports in an interactive class.

This course will provide extensive, in-depth practice in English pronunciation with special focus on rhythm, stress, and intonation. Basic features of English phonology will be reviewed. Students will learn to evaluate their own speech in order to become more competent, self-assured speakers. This course will help multilingual learners communicate more effectively in everyday situations and in academic settings with a focus on developing greater clarity and fluency in spoken English.

This low intermediate course is designed for multilingual writers who wish to improve their academic English skills to advance to a high-intermediate level. Students will engage in content-based writing of paragraphs and essays while focusing on grammatical accuracy. Readings will include authentic academic texts to improve fluency and expand vocabulary. Listening journals and oral presentations on various academic topics will further strengthen student's ability to read, write, speak, and listen. This course is only offered as part of an accelerated sequence. This course can count towards graduation as a Humanities elective.

In this high intermediate course, students continue to develop reading strategies and writing conventions appropriate for an academic environment. Through extensive reading and vocabulary development, students further strengthen written and spoken fluency. Students continue to work on grammar, sentence structure, and development and organization of paragraphs and multiple-draft essays of limited length. Assigned extended readings and student writing form the basis of small group and class discussions. Listening and speaking activities develop student's ability to comprehend and communicate more effectively in formal and informal settings.

In this high intermediate course, students will further develop proficiency in the use of more complex grammar structures including sentence variety andmore consistent control of verb tenses. Structures are learned in context through readings, discussions, oral practice, formal exercises, and particularly through writing. The targeted language structures are practiced in small group and whole class activities.The focus and emphasis of this course will be to use the grammatical structures in a natural and authentic settings.

In this high intermediate course, students will further develop their academic reading fluency, vocabulary knowledge, and communication skills. Through extensive reading and discussion, students improve fluency and increase self-confidence and competency in oral communication. Activities may include reading strategy development, vocabulary study, debates, whole class and small group discussions, and oral reports.

This course is designed to help students improve features of their American English pronunciation that could confuse or distract listeners and interfere with understanding. By learning how the sounds of English are produced and how authentic rhythm, stress and intonation are expressed, students will increase the accuracy and clarity of their English pronunciation and speaking ability. Students will learn how to evaluate their own speech in order to become more competent, self-assured speakers.

This course is designed for multilingual writers at the high-intermediate language proficiency level. Students will engage in rigorous practice of grammar, sentence structure, and writing of paragraphs and essays of limited length to strengthen their academic reading and writing skills. Students will expand their academic vocabulary, read authentic texts, keep listening journals, deliver oral presentations, and participate in small-group and class discussions. This course will help students reinforce their ability to comprehend and communicate more effectively in both academic and informal settings. This course may count towards graduation as a Humanities elective. This course is only offered in an accelerated format.

In this low advanced course, students develop deeper fluency in English language skills with an emphasis on academic reading and writing appropriate for the level. Students continue to refine reading, writing, listening and speaking skills as well as grammatical accuracy. Assigned college level readings, which may include whole works, form the basis for small and whole class discussions and student writing assignments appropriate for academic study. Students further develop linguistic clarity and accuracy, critical thinking, and development and organization of ideas in preparation for academic study in English.

In this low advanced course, students study, review, and develop competency in the use of advanced grammatical structures including conditional clauses, reported speech and complex syntax. The course provides additional opportunities to master these structures through short readings, group discussion, oral practice, and formal exercises, and particularly through writing. The targeted language structures are practiced in small group and whole class activities. The use of grammar structures in authentic contexts will be emphasized.

This course is designed to increase student's confidence and ability in understanding extended discourse and academic lectures, discussing issues raised by the lectures, and presenting their own ideas to the class. Focused listening activities as well as work with academic vocabulary will help students develop strategies for understanding lectures and responding to information presented in them. Students will practice presentation skills in small group and whole class settings. Out of class assignments, as well as some independent research will prepare students for in-class speaking tasks. Presentations will include adequate audio-visual support, using presentation software.

This course is designed to help students at the high intermediate and advanced levels, develop more fluency in the English language. Students will also develop a stronger foundation in the grammar and writing skills necessary for academic writing. Short readings and writings will expand academic vocabulary in a meaningful context and form the basis for class discussions and the review of essential grammar rules. Special attention will be paid to the syntactic elements of sentence construction. In addition, special attention will be paid to the combination of sentences needed to develop good paragraph structure and compose well-written, effective essays. Students will become more aware of the grammar errors most commonly made by English language learners, and use this knowledge to strengthen their ability to revise and edit their work.

In this high advanced course, students continue to develop deeper fluency in English language skills with an emphasis on academic reading and writing. Students continue to refine reading comprehension, writing proficiency, listening and speaking skills, and grammatical accuracy. Assigned college level readings which may include whole works and academic writings, form the basis for small and whole class discussions and student writing assignments. Students learn to appropriately integrate multiple sources into a research-based paper. Collaborative activities help students further develop linguistic clarity and accuracy, academic vocabulary, critical thinking, and development of ideas appropriate for academic study in English.

In this class, participants will integrate language learning theory and the approaches of teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language into effective classroom practices. The students will develop instructional techniques and survey the latest materials for promoting language skills and cultural awareness. This 3-credit course is accepted by the state of Connecticut as meeting one of the requirements for the Adult Education Certification for teachers of ESL.